So what are you asking me to do?

Image: Saints365.blogspot.com

During Holy Week, I was blessed to spend an hour on A Seeking Heart chatting with blogger Debbie Guadino of Saints365.blogspot.com. We had a marvelous chat which included a brief discussion on the 14 Day "Heroic Minute" Challenge, that Debbie had hosted on her blog 2 years ago. I was ENTHRALLED with the idea - and casually mentioned I thought I'd like to try it sometime. Sometime came way sooner than expected.Later that same day, my board operator, Alex over at Breadbox Media emailed with the bad news that the podcast of my show with Debbie, for reasons still unknown, had not recorded. Devastated that more people would not be blessed by her marvelous insights and tremendous journey of faith, I emailed Debbie to invite to record a re-do episode. She graciously agreed, then we had a BRILLIANT idea - this time we'd talk more about The Heroic Minute - AND re-launch the challenge for the Monday following Divine Mercy Sunday. That episode will air 10 am et on Monday, April 4th - Breadbox Media !!

What do I have to do to take the Challenge?

I'm in for 5:30 am because that is my darling daughter's school schedule (bleck)!

Set your alarm for that time and rise immediately after it rings - no hitting the snooze button, no throwing the clock across the room, and no grumbling.

That means for me -- SITTING up, fling off the covers (the cozier I am the harder it is for me to drag my bottom out of bed) and Thanking God for the Day!

Begin the day immediately with a prayer of consecration to the Lord.

Mine rhymes: Thank you LORD for this day; all I will think, do and say!

Keep a journal handy to jot down your reflections as you go through the challenge - ask the Lord to allow this challenge to be a time of growth towards Him each moment of the day. Note what, if any, changes occur in your life by living out the Heroic Minute.

This is the easiest part of the whole challenge - writing!! Be sure to follow Debbie Gaudino's wonderful reflections over on Saints 365 ... I will chronically my 14 day journey daily over on the Reconciled To You Facebook page along with 2 weeks of Tuesday Musings here!

Stop back here or visit Debbie at Saints 365; to share your victories, struggles and insights. Debbie still has her 2014 reflections available and will adding new ones for each day of the challenge, along with additional reflections from St. Josemarie Escriva, the Scriptures and more. (*edited from original)

It was reeeeaaaly hard for me this morning,first,because it's Monday and secondly because I fight insomnia and I had barely fallen asleep when my alarm went off. I did it though! Of course I'm a zombie now, but maybe that will help me sleep better tonight. I would like to share the prayer I made up to say every morning before I get out of bed~Good morning Father. Today and always I give you my will. Take it,cast it aside. Use my body as a shell for Your Holy and Divine Will. Grant me the grace to know what Your Will is for me, and the strength to do it.

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Allison Gingras

4/5/2016 03:11:04 am

First. YEAH for giving it a try and double yeah for sharing that with me! Second, insomnia stinks! I am a night owl. and fighting myself to stop what I am doing and go to bed is HARD!! Then to lay down and not sleep or be awake an hour later stinks too! I pray that you were right that being a zombie for one day made last night easier to sleep and this morning even easier to rise! I had coffee at 8 pm, NOT sure what I was thinking. So I was WIDE awake at 12:30 ... and 5:30...felt not so wonderful. But... I AM UP and hope you were able to awake at the time you choose as well. LASTLY, that prayer is fabulous - so humble and trusting!! I Just love it. and prayed it for myself this morning!!!! Blessings on the next 13 days be sure to check in and share you experiences!

I am just 1 for 3 on this challenge. I didn't hit the snooze this morning, but I also didn't get up right away. I am a night owl and my husband works 2nd shift. Those two things mean I stay up way too and my morning alarm is an annoyance. Oh yeah, I work from home. Sometimes I feel doomed! LOL

Hubby will switch to 1st shift (we hope) after Memorial Day. I think I will have more success then. But I will keep practicing in the meantime!

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Allison Gingras

4/8/2016 05:20:02 am

That is exactly how I see this challenge, an opportunity to practice giving God the first fruits of my day. I need to learn to discipline my fleshy desires -- food, sleep, um, jut food and sleep lol ;) I am happy every day is a new chance !!! thanks for sharing your experience!

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Allison Gingras

is a Catholic speaker, blogger, podcaster and writer. She believes that the Grace of God received through Prayer, Sacrament, and Scripture is the easiest and best way to grow in our faith.